Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. THE Kariba International Tiger Fish Tournament has once again proven to be a shining example of how sports tourism can benefit both the environment and local communities.
This year’s event, held on the picturesque shores of Lake Kariba, saw local, regional and international anglers participate in the prestigious fishing competition.
According to Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) spokesperson Tamirepi Mudzingwa, the tournament’s 100% catch-and-release policy has been a major factor in its success.
“This simple yet powerful practice safeguards the tiger fish population and, by extension, the entire aquatic food web,” he said.
The tournament has also become a valuable source of scientific data, with researchers from the University of Zimbabwe and ZimParks using the data to fine-tune stock assessment models and set science-based catch limits.
Local businesses saw a significant boost, with lodges, restaurants and transport services experiencing increased bookings and sales.
“We have seen a rise in bookings during the tournament week and many small vendors report a surge in sales of crafts and fresh produce,” Cephas Shonhiwa, Kariba Tourism and Business Indaba co-ordinator, said.
The tournament’s final standings reflected the skill and determination of the participating anglers, with Charter X Ram Petroleum taking the top spot.
The team standings were: Charter X Ram Petroleum in first place with 38 catches and 90,31 points, followed closely by Jongosi with 40 catches and 81,33 points, and ZimBulk rounding out the top three with 60 catches and 76,35 points.
In the individual awards, Barney Rogers from Charter X Ram Petroleum claimed the top spot with 15 catches and 37,13 points.
Tristan van de Merwe from Hyena Sunrises came in second with 26 catches and 33,98 points, while Gordon Banks from ZimBulk secured third place with 22 catches and 26,68 points.
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